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On the Job with Anna Tran, ICC Care Coordinator

Anna Tran is one of the pioneers of St. Joe's Integrated Comprehensive Care (ICC) Program, initiated in March 2012. She shared her insights in this recent interview.

What do you do?

I'm a Care Coordinator with our Integrated Comprehensive Care (ICC) Program. I work with patients and families to create some continuity in terms of their care, so things aren't so disjointed when they leave hospital to go home. The St. Joe's patient population doesn't really need day-to-day nursing care. They just need someone to make sure they're doing ok or they need someone to be able to call to say, "listen, what I'm feeling, is this normal?" They need a little reassurance. That's what we provide. The ICC Program provides that kind of cushion for them when they go home. The program also allows for quick response from other care providers such as physio and OTs and PSWs.

How long have you been at St. Joe's?

10 years this December.

Is it good being part of a program from its inception?

Yes, very much. There are no restrictions. Carolyn Gosse, Vice-President, Integrated Care, St Joseph's Health System, has been very good in terms of letting us do what we need to do. There are guidelines and we have to keep within the guidelines, but other than that you are able to do what you feel you need to do to provide best care. I have patients that have daily nursing which is not usual protocol, but because they do require that little bit of extra support especially if they do live alone, I'm able to make those calls.

Is it true you keep in touch with patients for 60 days after discharge?

Yes we encourage that. Most of the thoracic patients don't need us after a few weeks. Some are a bit longer because they're a little more fragile, or maybe have trouble coping so we do more visits. At the 60 day mark, I say to the patients, "listen, you don't need us actively anymore but we're still here even if it's three months down the road. Call us if you're worried."

Did you always know you wanted to be a nurse?

No. It was an accident. I started out in chemistry. I did two years of that and didn't like it. And I had to do something so I said let's just apply to Mohawk. Based on my qualifications I looked at chemical engineering or business administration because I was ok at math and then nursing because I had done a little volunteering and I enjoyed it and also because most of my focus in high school was sciences. I had tried chemistry but didn't really like it. I could do math but I wasn't very business minded, so nursing was the last of three options. It's grown on me over the years, but it was purely by accident.

How does your role with ICC reflect the work and mission of our founders, the Sisters of St. Joseph of Hamilton?

I think it's all about doing what you think is right. We're raised with certain beliefs and values and we do what we think is right to the best of our abilities. In this field it's providing care, whatever that care may be, as long as we keep within our values and beliefs we are living and following the mission of the Sisters.

How do you re-charge?

I like to re-charge with a good book, sitting, reading with headphones on. I'm very much a homebody. My parents are elderly and live with me and one of my specialties is geriatrics, so I enjoy spending time with them.